Saturday, July 21, 2012

Pulitzer Prize winning author: E.B. White

E.B. White’s body of work includes Charlotte’s Web & Stuart Little and Elements of Style.

He first published in The New Yorker magazine in 1927. He continued to write for the magazine for decades as well as writing a column for Harper’s Magazine. He turned from magazine articles to children’s fiction publishing Stuart Little in 1945 and Charlotte’s Web in 1952.

In 1959, he focused on his former professor, William Strunk’s work: Elements of Style originally published in 1918. His improvements made the book become a grammar standard.

E.B. White’s story Charlotte’s Web is now a children’s classic. His impeccable writing provides an excellent example of well written literature. The story is character driven with only mild action but such heart-warming characters that children around the world know and love Fern, Wilbur, Charlotte, and Templeton.

Fern’s compassion saves the life of Wilbur, the runt of the litter.

The runt of litter, Wilbur overcomes his lowly status to become: SOME PIG and win at the county fair.

Charlotte helps save Wilbur from slaughter. She explains her life pattern to Wilbur who doesn’t like her necessary diet, but comes to understand his friend’s habits.

Templeton, a fairground rat serves himself first and offers life’s lessons to the sheltered pig.

The lesson for writers from E.B. White life is to keep writing.

4 comments:

Joanne said...

I try to read the Elements of Style at least once a year - keeps me grounded as a writer. I need to re-read Charlotte's Web - such a classic. Mr.White is a classic himself.

Kate OMara said...

Agree Joanne. Elements is a standard :)

OKinUK said...

I like trumpet of the swan best.

Kate OMara said...

book or movie version?? :)